First women’s Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg asked to twerk on stage shows we live in a man’s world

Olympique Lyonnais' Norwegian forward Ada Hegerberg (R) stands past French DJ and producer Martin Solveig gesturing after receiving the 2018 FIFA Women's Ballon d'Or award for best player of the year during the 2018 FIFA Ballon d'Or award ceremony at the Grand Palais in Paris. (Credit: AFP)

Let’s accept it… the male-dominated society we live in has time and again, consciously or subconsciously, shown their inadequacy to deal with the success of women by putting up the display of their hollow, sexist mindset. There are innumerable instances and examples that we can quote here, but today let’s talk about the one recent incident that has again reinforced the fact that we live in a man’s world.

Footballer Ada Hegerberg, who became the first women’s Ballon d’Or winner, must have, in her head, rewind and replayed the moment of her being bestowed the prestigious award thousand times before it actually took place. But one of the biggest moments of her life was ruined shamelessly when she was asked to twerk live on stage by the host DJ, Martin Solveig.

Twerk is dancing to popular music in a sexually provocative manner, which involves thrusting hip movements and a low squatting dance.

Ada played a crucial role in helping Lyon win the French title and the Champions League, scoring in the final. However, when her moment of glory came, instead of looking ecstatic, she appeared embarrassed. Solveig’s question that if she wanted to dance in celebration and “knew how to twerk” was enough to ruin Ada’s golden moment, for which, she had worked as hard as any male footballer.

The 23-year-old said “no” to Solveig and it seemed she was about to leave the stage before she reluctantly agreed to dance to another sang with Ginola. However, the mood was spoilt, the moment was ruined and nothing really compensated for it thereafter.

Post the award ceremony, Solveig was quick to post on Twitter that he has apologised to Ada and she understood it was a joke. He wrote, “I explained to Ada the buzz and she told me she understood it was a joke. Nevertheless my apologies to anyone who may have been offended. Most importantly congratulations to Ada.”

Sincere apologies to the one I may have offended. My point was : I don’t invite women to twerk but dance on a Sinatra song. Watch the full sequence People who have followed me for 20 years know how respectful I am especially with women pic.twitter.com/pnZX8qvl4R

However, keeping all apologies and explanations aside, Solveig, knowingly or unknowingly, showed us how objectifying women comes naturally to many men in society.

In an interview with The Guardian, the Norwegian footballer said, “Sometimes, it’s really frustrating I must say. Sometimes you have episodes or situations where you feel like, ‘damn, we’re in such a man’s world’. But at the same time, I’ve never looked at myself different from a man’s footballer. I’ve always felt the same.”

She added, “I work hard to try to achieve my dreams like every other girl out there and that’s the way we have to look at it.”
Now, if people can filter their thought process, it’s not a rocket science to understand that the foundation of an ideal society can only be laid when we treat women with dignity and give her the respect she deserves.